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E. THOMSON St E. W. RICE, Jr. ELECTRIC LIGHTING SYSTEM.

No; 496,455. Patented May 2, 1898.,

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. THOMSON & E. W. RICE, Jr. BLEGTRIG LIGHTING SYSTEM,

No. 496,455. fig Q, Patented May 2, 1893.

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. UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

ELIHU THOMSON AND EDWIN \VILBUR RICE, JR, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO THE THOMSON-HOUSTON ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CON- NECTICUT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,455, dated May 2, 1893. Application filed April l l,1884. Serial No. 127.792. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that we, ELIHU THoMsoN and EDWIN WILBUR men, J r., citizens of the United States, and residents of Lynn, in the 5 county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Current Distributers, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to systems of distri- IO bution, and is designed to produce a system wherein devices may be supplied in multiple series over the same circuit with uniformity of action in the devices and with freedom from injury to such devices by fluctuations of the current arising either from variations of the resistance on the circuit or in the action of the generator, or from variations in the nu 1nber of translating devices employed.

We aim to protect the translating devices in the multiple arc branches of any groups from injury under any conditions, that is, either when the number of branches is reduced by the opening of a branch through the action of a switch in the branch or by other means, the line current on the series circuit remaining in the meantime constant, or when, with the normal number of branches closed, the line current abnormally increases. We also provide a means for properly producing a normal flow of current through any unopen branches whenever, during the normal flow of line current, any one of such branches becomes opened.

Our invention consists first in a series mul- 3 5 tiple are system of distribution in which there is combined with each of the branches of any group into which the current is subdivided, an automatic switch and an artificial resist ance through which latter the circuit is automatically completed by said switch in place of any one of the normally closed branches whenever the translating device in such branch is thrown out of circuit either designedly or by accident, and there is provided 5 for the whole group an automatic switch that is arranged to close a branch around any multiple are group of translating devices in case the line current increases so as to endanger the devices in said multiple are group. By the first provision a constancy of flow in each branch of a group is assured during normal flow of line current; by the second provision any disturbance of conditions resulting in an abnormal flow over the whole series circuit and therefore, in each of the branches of any group, is followed bv the automatic shunting of the group of branches.

Our invention consists further in combinations of devices and apparatus, as hereinafter described, and more particularly specified in the claims.

In describing our invention we have described it as carriedout in a system wherein incandescent lamps are employed as the translating devices in the several branches of any group and are lamps are employed also on the same general circuit but in series with the group.

It will be understood, however, that our system is applicable to multiple arc series systems of distribution wherein translatin devices of other character are employed. D

The invention, however, affords a simple and efficient way of running incandescent lamps on are circuits.

Figure 1. is a diagram of circuits and apparatus illustrating our invention. Fig. 2. illustrates a safety device which we sometimes employ as an additional precautionary feature in connection with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4. illustrate diagrammatically modified arrangements of lamps and circuits. Fig. 5. is a diagram of the circuits and apparatus as arranged in practice where a number of lamps or groups of lamps in different locations are controlled by the same distributer. Figs. 6 and 7. illustrate devices that may be employed for adjusting the switch magnets for use with lamps of different resistance. 0

Referring to Fig. 1, A. B. indicate a circuit upon which a current of say ten amperes is flowing through electric arc lamps or other apparatus arranged in series, and a. b. a loop or section of such line containing the dis- 5 tributer apparatus and branches throu h which the line current is to be subdivided f or the purpose of running incandescent lamps or other devices requiring individually a current of considerable electro motive force but of less volume than that required for operating the arc lamp or other apparatus. The wire a. passes through an electro magnet G. to an iron frame F. as shown, and from thence can pass to the movable armatures N. N. N. N. N. of which there may be a greater or less number supported from and in electrical connection with said frame. From said armatures the current can pass through resistance coils R. R. R. R. R. or other artificial resistances, one for each armature, to rejoin the main line through I). The connection from an'armature N. to R. is by suitable contacts 0. controlled by said armature and closed only when N. is down. A set of small electro magnets M. M. M. M. M.'serves when energized to raise their armatures N. N. N. N. N. respectively and open the connections at O. to the coils R. The coils of M. M. arein branches of the circuit a. I). made by taking connection from the frame F. to and through the coils of magnets M. and the incandescent lamps L. individually, the return connection being to b. and to main B. The leading wires or branches to the lamps are kept separate .as shown after passing the magnets M. M. M. and each branch contains a switch m. or other device for opening the branch as usual. The number of lamps that can be supplied in a group L. will depend upon the volume of current required for each lamp and the volume ofthe main line current. With a line current of ten amperes and each lamp in the group L. requiring two amperes, five branches or derivations will be made. If the lamp required only one ampere, ten derivations would be made. Other proportions are easily formed for varying currents and lamps. When all the lights at L. are open circuited from a. to 1)., that is extinguished, the armature N. N. N. N. N. remain down, and the resistances R. R., &c., which are madeof such resistance as to each about equal that of a lamp, convey each two amperes. The establishment of a path through a lamp diverts current through its own appropriate magnet M. which, attracting its armature N. open circuits a resistance R. hen all lamps are connected, all the magnets are able to lift their armatures and all the resistances R. are open circuited, and the lamps convey the whole current. The extinguishment by open circuiting of any lamp puts into circuit its own appropriate resistance branch by the fall of its appropriate armature. By these means the incandescent lamps may be operated with perfect safety under regularity of conditions on the circuit A. B. and in the generator. But these are seldom or never fully attained in practice and we therefore combine with the apparatus already described the following instrumentalities. Placed in the main circuit so as to respond to changes of the current in it is an electro magnet G. of any suitable kind, whose armature or core is adjusted so as to be drawn to it only on abnormal increase of line current. When this occurs it resistances, this plan is desirable.

acts to close contacts 3. of any usual or desirable construction, which diverts current from Ct. to I). through a small resistance Q which may however be omitted and a connection of practically no resistance substituted. The closure and diversion of currentshunts the other portions R. L., &c., and saves the lamps L. from injury by excess of current. We also provide sometimes an additional set of resistances S. S. S. connected from a. to b. by a switch T. which closes the circuit of one, two, or more as'desired. The resistances S. S. S. beinga shunt of a considerable resistance, enable the brilliancy of the lights L. to be modified and controlled in moving the switch T. so as to effect successive closure through one, more, or all-the resistancesS. S. S.

The whole apparatus may beshunted or cut out by a suitable shunting or cut out switch W. as shown. I I

A device which may be used inpractice with advantage in combination with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, is shown in Fig. 2.

Each magnet M. being connected from a. to I). through its coils and a lamp -L., if there should occur by accident a low resistance shunting of a lamp as at L. by accident to the wires or other cause,an increased proportion of current would pass through M- and detract from the illumination of the other lights in a group, and also endanger the magnet M. from overheating. necting wire K. is soldered tothe coil M. (for example, its outer layer) so that when coil M. heats abnormally, the joint is melted, and a disruption takes place by the wire K. springing oh? and out of connection with M., an elastic set having been orginally given-to K. for this purpose. The dotted lines show the position of K. after disruption. This disruption open circuits M. and L. and stops all'undue flow of current away from the other lamps. The resistance coil R. is preferably wound upon a vertical tube D. of brass or copper or other good conductor, open top and bottom for circulation of air, and is preferably made of German silver wire as the resistance of this material changes'but slightly with the temperature. The tube D. acts inductively to prevent sparking-at the-opening of the contact 0. i I

Fig. 3. shows the union of two of the lamp conductors to feed a lamp L of low resistance demanding double current and giving increased light power over what the other lamp requires. Other circuit arrangements are feasible.

Fig. 4. shows a preferred mode of use of two groups of lamps or more in series in succession. In this case one or more groups may be extinguished by shunting without dis turbing others, and where it is desirable to save as far as possible waste of current over It-' is to be understood that this and the preceding devices are best adapted to a main line current of unvarying volume, such as is obtained To avoid=all risk theconfrom generators provided with automatic regulating appliances.

In Fig. 5. a general plan is shown of one of the possible modes of running circuits from the distribution box containing the magnets and resistances of Fig. 1. A group of six lights is supposed to be operated, three at L. two at L and one at L". The strand 01' cable of lamp wires is indicated at Z. while I). b. are the consolidated return wires to the distributer.

In Figs. 6 and 7. adjusting means are shown for adapting the magnets M. and resistance R. to variable conditions. In Fig. 6, a shunt wire 75. is indicated, the length of which may be adjusted to shunt current from M. in more or less degree, and thus vary the pull of the magnet M. so as to adapt it to act with differant currents according to the lamps used.

The resistance R Fig. 7, having been made of the highest resistance at any time desirable may be used in place of t. and may be cut down by a shunting wire U. arranged to cut out or shunt more or less of its convolutions. We find in practice that our invention combines the elements of safety from fire and from injury to lamps, and ease of manipulation in a greater degree than ever before obtainable in working incandescents in multiple series upon arc light or other lines.

We make no special claim herein to the safety disrupter consisting of the spring wire and soldered joint, nor to the artificial resistance composed of the tube and wire wound thereupon, as these form the subject of another application for patent filed by us October 3, 1892, Serial No. 447,604.

What we claim as our invention is- 1. The combination with a group of translating devices arranged in multiple arc, of a set of equivalent resistances, switch devices in each multiple arc branch for substituting said resistances automatically upon the breaking of the individual branches, a normally open branch around the group of translating devices, and an electro-magnetic switch whose coils are in the main line circuit, said switch being adjusted in the manner described to close the latter branch upon an increase of the main current to an abnormal extent, as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination with a group of incandescent lamps or other translating devices, of artificial resistances individually equivalent to the said translating devices and normally out of circuit, electromagnetic switches controlling said resistances and having their coils individually in the lamp circuits, a normally openbranch around the group,aswitch for controlling said normally open branch around the group, and an electro-magnet for operating the switch upon an abnormal increase in the current supply, said magnet having its coils in the supply conductorleading to the group of lamps or other translating devices.

ELIHU THOMSON. E. WILBUR RICE, JR.

Witnesses:

W. O. WAKEFIELD, E. S. BREED. 

